Last Monday the 16th we had district P-day up in Bay city with the other missionaries; Elder's Hartley, Wharton, Engel, Hoover, Caldwell and Sister's Viewhig and Chatman. We had a blast, we played one game the whole time. Killer Uno. It was a major hit, it got pretty heated and intense but it was a blast.
What is Killer Uno? You may be asking yourself...
Yes, there are rules. Yes, there are turns. Yes, there is some basic addition involved in the score-keeping. But if you are good enough to match a color and a number at the same time, you can play when it's not your turn and nobody can stop you. And that is beautiful satisfaction. So much so, you may not even need to kill people this week.
The game is simple. You start with the basic Uno rules that come with the cards. The object is to run out of cards first. Match the color or number of the card showing on the discard pile, play a wild card, or draw. This encompasses the Action Cards (Reverse, Draw 2, Skip) as well. But we don't want to wait our turn, do we? So here's the Killer part:
If you are holding the identical card (same color and symbol) that is showing on the discard pile, play it. Play it fast. Smack it down on the pile before the person whose turn it really is has even decided what he wants to play. There. It's not his turn anymore. Play continues to your left. Unless there is a Reverse card in play, in which case play continues to your right. Felt good, didn't it? A gloating "Whoop!" is appropriate here.
It gets better. You know those pesky Draw Four wild cards? If one gets played on you, and you have one in your hand — you play it! Bam! Now the guy next to you has to draw eight. But wait! The girl across the table just realized she has one, too. Pow! She smacks it down immediately after you do, and now her next-door neighbor has a hand that has grown by twelve cards. Snickers ensue. Cries of relief whoosh out from those saved from drawing.
The Zero.
If a zero is discarded, play is halted while everyone passes their entire hand to the person next to her (in the reverse direction of current play). Play continues as before. That guy who was just about to go out now has a really ugly hand. You probably do, too.
Other details:
- This game is best played with 6-10 players. We use two sets of cards for best impact and least re-shuffling.
- Identical cards may be played together: Have two Yellow Draw Two cards in your hand? Play them at the same time to make the next person draw four. Two Red Reverses? Play them together and they cancel each other out. Three Green Skips? Play them together and skip the next three players' turns.
- Don't have a card to play when it's your turn? Draw until you do, or until someone else realizes they can and puts you out of your misery.
- Don't forget to call "Uno!" when you have one card left. If someone else beats you to it, you must draw two cards.
- Black cards are 50 points.
- Action cards are 20.
- Number cards are face value.
- When someone discards his last card, play stops and everyone counts up what is left in their hand. The player to reach 500 points first is the loser. This is a good time to break for food and drink.
- Round tables even the odds. Players with long arms have the advantage of reaching the discard pile faster when racing to play out of turn.
- Keep nail-clippers available for your guests. Blood droplets from scrabbling players make the cards sticky.
- Quiet, polite people tend to have atomic elbows. Body-blocks can be strategic.
- Couples should not always sit next to each other. You'll see.
So now that you have been made aware of the beautifully instinctive game of Killer Uno I would like to invite all of you to go and play. *****This was not a paid advertisement by Mattel Games.*****
I am so bad at remembering things so I apoligize I cannot really remember who we had dinner this week.
On Wednesday we had a Zone Training in Midland, so that was good. Though at this point in my mission I have no idea who anyone is anymore I am one of the oldest mission in the mission. So that is weird. For lunch we went with the district to Mancino's a great place, I had a crab grinder, like a heated sub sandwich, it was really scrumptious and refreshing. It is always a great time to chat with the other mission in the district we have a great time.
Thursday I apologize I do not remember what we did on Thursday. I know that this week we had dinner at the Nichols, Dave Boss', and the Sheets are the ones that I remember.
Friday was a awesome day. It was Holiday's Downtown. We went and they lighted the water treatment plant which is a really awesome building. The zoo was open to walk around and it was lit up. Then the ward was there and we went caroling with them around the festival. Then at the end there were fireworks so that was a really fun night.
LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The first snow of winter, I would say the year but there was snow at the beginning of the year. Saturday was a really fun day as well Jon Case came and took us to Bronners down in Frankenmuth. We walked around down there and had a fun time. There were so many people down there so many people. Then after that he took us to Famous Dave's we had a great time there chatting. After dinner we went to a Cabela's Outpost to find Elder Caldwell a jacket. Winter is upon us.
Sunday is always good. A return missionary spoke today, so the topic of church was on missionary work so that is always nice. For dinner we went to Matt Deibel's for dinner they are such a great family. Then we took care of some odds and ends and called it a night.
Today Monday we are having another district p-day so that will be fun. I will report better next week on what happens this week.
I hope that you all have a wonderful and enjoyment filled Thanksgiving, remember that the Lord is the one who has provided all that we have and enjoy. I know that the Lord is there for us in our times of need. We may feel that He turns his back on us, but the truth is that He never has nor ever will do that. It is us who turn away from Him, and it is up to us to swallow our pride and turn to Him. His love is everlasting no matter how far we feel we have fallen. I know that this is true. Check out this talk from a Prophet of God.https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/i-will-not-fail-thee-nor-forsake-thee?lang=eng
I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving.
Elder Cody Grant Fairbanks
MTFBWY
eldercodygfairbanks.weebly.com